Grey's Anatomy is passing ER's record on February 28, 2019, making it the queen of all medical TV shows. Season 15, Episode 15 is the 332nd episode of the series, passing the 331 episodes ER enjoyed in its 15-season run from 1994 to 2009. ABC previewed the big event with a promo focused on the halls of the what we now call Grey Sloan, sharing some of the most famous quotes from Grey's Anatomy's history:
Ah yes. "Pick me, choose me, love me" will always be an iconic Grey's Anatomy quote. We also hear Bailey's "I have 5 rules, memorize them," among others, as Ellen Pompeo's voice-over shares the big news...
You know that old saying if these walls could talk ... join us as Grey's Anatomy becomes the longest-running primetime medical show on television. Because after 332 episodes, we still have so much more to say.
Yes! It is amazing to think Grey's Anatomy is still going strong after 15 seasons -- with Season 16 all but assured, considering Ellen Pompeo's contract as Meredith Grey.
This all started on March 27, 2005 with the first episode of the series, "A Hard Day's Night." That episode had 16.25 million viewers. The nightly average is down now, with more competition on TV and people turning to streaming, but Season 15 is still averaging around 7 million viewers a week. Plus, there are reruns of past episodes all the time on networks like Lifetime, and Netflix has given the show a whole new fan base of younger viewers now catching up on the drama.
So much has changed over the past 331 episodes, and we've lost many favorite characters along the way. It sounds like the synopsis for 15x15 has a celebratory angle, so maybe that will be Grey's Anatomy's way of honoring its new milestone. Here are ABC's details on Episode 15, called "We Didn't Start the Fire" (via Futon Critic):
JACKSON THROWS A PARTY FOR CATHERINE AFTER HER SURGERY, AND ALEX'S MOM PAYS A SURPRISE VISIT, ON A RECORD-BREAKING EPISODE OF ABC'S 'GREY'S ANATOMY,' THURSDAY, FEB. 28The Feb. 28 Episode Makes 'Grey's Anatomy' the Longest-Running Prime-Time Medical Drama in History With 332 Episodes"We Didn't Start the Fire" - When Jackson throws a party to celebrate Catherine's surgery and those who worked to save her, literally nothing goes as planned. Meanwhile, Helen pays Alex and Jo a surprise visit on a record-breaking episode.
As you can see there, Lindsay Wagner is coming back as Alex's mother Helen Karev. And Jackson Avery is throwing a party to celebrate his mother Catherine's surgery. But "literally nothing goes as planned," which sounds like Grey's Anatomy to a T.
Here's a look of what's happening with Alex, Joe, and Helen in this episode, and apparently a glimpse of the party setting:
Alex definitely looks worried about his mom. How did she get there, and why is she there? Guess we'll find out this week.
Grey's Anatomy still has a lot of story left in the tank, and plenty of viewers still watching from various devices. Ellen Pompeo and show creator Shonda Rhimes have talked about when and how they want to end the show, but there's no current plan on the table for the endgame.
For my money, nurse Bokhee should be allowed to have the final word of the series, after being a constant for 15 seasons and counting. Let her have another line to Meredith Grey, then quietly close the operating room doors and exit Seattle Grace/Grey Sloan.
Grey's Anatomy Season 15 continues Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, as one of the many TV shows during in the 2019 midseason.
